Release Day

It's finally here. Release day for Temptation in a Kilt.

As I unleashed my new baby into the world, I took a step back, realizing my emotions were so out of whack. Frankly, I don't know how debut authors do it. How can one feel excited, thrilled, joyful and scared to death all at the same time? Seriously. If anyone knows, please fill me in.

"Get a grip, Roberts." That's what I keep telling myself over and over.

I know one thing for certain. My heart and soul went into this book and I hold my head high with pride. It touches me dearly when a reader takes the time to send me a personal note to tell me how much this book touched them. And you know what? That one reader makes it totally worth the ride. 

I'd like to thank the following people for their support.

Sabrina Jeffries, for making me realize it’s never too late to try something new.

Hannah Howell, for her support while I was bogged down in synopsis hell.

Eliza Knight, for giving me the courage to put myself out there.

To my agent, Jill Marsal, for her endless support and encouragement.

To my editor, Deb Werksman, for giving me a chance.

To my critique partner, Mary Grace, there are really no words to express the tremendous amount of gratitude I hold for you. All those times I ruffled your feathers about having your nose planted in a book, even when you walk… For your brutal honesty and endless reads, your unwavering support and encouragement, these Bad Boys came to life. Thank you for believing in me.
 

To my family, for their unwavering support and dedication to this Bad Boy. For my son, who understood at such a young age that Mommy was editing. For my daughter, the only Gaelic-speaking lass in the fifth grade. And for my husband, who makes dinners countless nights. I could not ask for a more encouraging bunch. I love you all, and you have my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. I could have never done this without you. 

  

Mom, Dad and Michelle, thank you for believing in me. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you or miss you, Mom. I hope I made you proud.

 

Thanks for helping me spread the word, and I'm raising a cyber glass of champagne to all of you.

I Got the Call (Again)!

These past couple months have just been full of excitement. I signed with my wonderful agent, Jill Marsal, in April. The fabulous Rae Monet finished my website this week. Jimmy Thomas is the cover model gracing my website and blog and I just received the most important call in my career. 

I just landed a three book deal with Sourcebooks!

As any writer can attest, this was a tedious journey with many ups and downs. It's definitely been a roller coaster ride on the road to publishing. Fortunately, I'm still on that high and have not thought long-term about reviews and marketing. *waves hand in air in dismissive gesture* There's plenty of time for that later. Right now, I'm just living in the moment.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my CP, writer/chapter friends and family. I have a great support team and you make my job so much easier. Thanks to my husband who has made countless dinners while I'm knee deep in the Highlands. Thanks to my beautiful daughter for her endless support and praise. You were right. I only had to believe in myself. And how could I forget my handsome little lad in training? Even though you were the only one in Kindergarten speaking Scottish Gaelic, I appreciate your support!  

I'm sure I'll be up late tonight tossing and turning and pondering things to come. For right now, I've accomplished my dream. *sigh*

Career. Onward. Now. 

I Signed!

And I believed writing a manuscript was the hardest part! Yep, that's pretty much what I thought. Boy was I naive!

Between synopsis hell--I mean writing, query letters, hooks, marketing, agents... it gives me a headache even thinking about it. Finishing the manuscript is only half the battle. What's your strategy? How are you going to sell it? Who's going to represent you? How are you going to market it? It is by no means easy. 

I finished Highland Savior. I completed the synopsis. I fine tuned the query letter. I polished my hooks. Now I have the most exciting news of all...

I just signed with Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency!

Career. Onward. Now.